(TLDR. On Tuesday, we have intervals on St Catherine’s Road, at both 6pm and 7pm. Thursday’s run sees us tackling the hilly delights of Bilton. On Sunday we have the Cod Beck Canter, which kicks off the fell championships for 2025. Read on for up and coming events, some important information about a change of date for the AGM, and the ubiquitous wise word…).
A massive thanks to all who came and joined us last night. It really was a great evening, and I can only apologise for the speech. Some were unable to join us last night due to illness, and you were all much missed and we hope to see you again soon. Congratulations to all of our award winners who were able to take home various trophies, shields, glass bowls, massive slabs of lakeland slate, and the much coveted Nidd Valley dildo. Nidd Valley has a reputation as ‘the friendly club’ (quite what that says about other local clubs, I don’t know), and that was abundantly evident last night. I had a blast, and I hope you did too.
Results from the Week That Was
At Conyngham Hall Parkrun yesterday morning, Caleb Aylesbury (18.31) managed to extend his advantage over Josh Bryer (18.55) in what had started as a tough tussle at the top. Kev Clark (19.53) was almost a minute behind, while Captain Dazzler (21.02) just missed out on a top ten finishing spot. We shall be having words.
Martin Lofthouse (21.10), Ian Hesford (21.21.19) and Fingers Harris (22.38) were the next three to finish, while we were also delighted to enjoy the marvellous performances of Chris Carvey (23.06), Richard Evans (23.32), Sam Wheeler (23.41), Richard Abbot (23.43), Karl Chillmaid (23.48) and Kirsty Walter (23.48). Huge congratulations are also due to Mark Tyrell (24.05), Nigel Scaife (24.19), Rob Kingston (24.27), Connor Featherstone (also 24.27) and Theresa Oldroyd (24.52).
Fiona Deacon (25.17) made it all look easy, leading the way for Jo Brierley (25.38), Sam Fugill (25.53), Nick Smith (26.09), Kat Woodhead (26.34) and Guy Parker (26.35). Bev Aspin had it all done and dusted in 26.54, with Christine Holleran (27.10), Louise Kingston (28.00), Hannah Percy (28.01), and Jim Cook (28.25) all taking close orders.
Lizzie Hughill (28.40) was working hard to keep John Mallet (28.50) at bay, while Jane Evans (28.52) and Jenny Manning (29.03) were both never far off the mark. Newbie Andy Bryer (29.26) was the next over the line, and didn’t have long to wait until he was joined by Moira McTague (30.23) and Rachel Capstick (31.14).
Not only did Karen Mills finish in the same time as Rachel Mills (32.13, if you’re taking notes), but she also shares her surname. You might think it’s a coincidence, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s a little known fact that Karen is actually obsessed with Rachel and wants to emulate her in every way possible. She has pictures of her all round the house, too, and has even made a shrine with candles and everything. It’s getting a little bit awkward and someone should have a word.
It wasn’t too long until the ChatBot got to the finish (and in fairness you can normally hear here about five minutes before she gets to the line), doing so in 33.14, and she was soon joined by Jo Lane (33.52), junior Owen Dart (35.00), Michelle Smith (35.21), and Marcos Montana (35.41).Sylvia Morten (50.22), Fiona Robinson (50.22) and Hannah Kempson (50.24) rounded things off for us.
Yesterday afternoon, FRP, Fiona Robinson and Sarah Chalmers had a go at the Run Like a Haggis navigation event up at Hamsterley Forest. With a challenge to tick off as many checkpoints as possible in two hours, Phil scored 520 points and finished 19th out of 41 competitors. Sarah finished 29th (380 points) and Fiona finished in 37th place (260 points). Well done to you all.
Oh, look at this. Kev Clark managed to get himself up after the Awards Night and down to Leeds to take part in the St Aidan’s Winter Beast near Swillington. He finished in 46:36, which got him 11th place out 270 starters. A tremendous effort, I’m sure you’ll agree.
In other non-championship parkrun news, Adam Kirk was joined by Sarah Hughan and Steve Newbould at York Knavesmire, Emily Wighton was down at Concord Parkrun in Sheffield, and Martin Luxton was doing his usual thing at Sedgefield. Andy Todd did his laps at Millfield (wasn’t it forever thus?), Kevin Nicholas was at Withernsea Promenade, and Liz Ahmad was at Leavesden Country Park.
Matt Wilkinson and James Braddon were at Fountains Abbey, and we had quite a lot of Nidds still round the Stray (including Jonathan Kay who had forgotten that it was a championships event down in Knaresborough. Some people, honestly…). All the parkrun results here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
You see the moon is bright in that treetop night / I see the shadows that we cast in the cold clean light / I might fear I go and my heart is white / And we race right out on the desert plains all night: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
Oh good. Intervals. Couldn’t be happier. As per the usual arrangements, we’re doing intervals on Tuesday night, and this week we’ll be down at St Catherine’s Road for another stamina building session. Emma says they’re good for us and she’s been on a course and knows how to do stretches and everything, so we should probably pay attention. There’ll be sessions at both 6pm and 7pm, and the meeting point is at the junction of St Catherines’s Road and St Winnifred’s Road (///mimic.flute.translated). And while we’re at it, just who is St Winnifred anyway? Sounds like the patron saint of knitted cardigans.
I digress. On Thursday, we have another club run and this week we’ll be enjoying the hilly delights of Bilton. Get ready to feel the burn! Whoohoo! Meet at the Hockey Club for 6.30pm, and we’ll head out over the iron bridge and onto Woodfield Road. Run down Tennyson Avenue, Hall Lane, and Knox Avenue and onto Skipton Road. This is your first turning point back to the club if you want it, or you can continue down to Little Wonder roundabout, up Ripon Road, down Ripon Road, up Parliament Street hill and onto West Park. Turning back to the club at the Prince of Wales Roundabout and heading back along York Place will be about 10km all in, but feel free to amend and alter as the mood suits you. I’m afraid that we’ve had to cancel the free bar, cocaine and sexy strippers for the afterparty in the bar this week, so you’ll have to settle for a pint and a chat with Dave instead.
Although not in the championships, good luck to the ten Nidds who have got themselves a place in the (now sold out) Dewsbury 10km on Saturday.
I’m well excited about Sunday, though, as the fell champs gets started. Not as excited as FRP, though. He’s barely slept. Anyway, we’re heading up to the edge of the North York Moors for the Cod Beck Canter, which is a great 10 mile fell race on varied and beautiful terrain. It’s certainly quite accessible by fell running standards, and if one of your new year resolutions was to get some more mud on your shoes, then I can think of no better place to start. It’s entry on the day and isn’t to be missed, especially when it’s only £7 in. Read up here: https://tinyurl.com/mzzw5tvd.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
It’s worth remembering that the Snake Lane 10 is on Sunday 23rd February 2025, and kick starts the 2025 road championships. Somewhat awkwardly, it has already sold out (didn’t take long) but if you don’t have a place then it is worth keeping an eye on the social media pages as transfers are being advertised.
AGM: Tuesday 25th February 2025
Please note the CHANGE IN DATE. We’ve had to move the date due to a booking mix-up at the Hockey Club, and they are also unable to accommodate us on any Thursday for a couple of months. So we’re breaking with tradition and having the AGM on a Tuesday for a change.
Please make all effort to attend if you can (we’ll give you pizza), as we need you there to pass any business that we need to deal with. We’ll also be voting in a new committee and all positions are up for grabs (including mine!) even if the current incumbent wants to cling on to power for another year. Well, I say power. If there are any levers of power round this place then I for one have never found them.
Jonathan will be sending out the formal notification for the meeting with all the relevant paperwork in the next couple of days.
Word to the Wise
I was asked last night if I’d share the words from the speech. So without further ado, and to the tune of ABBA’s Thankyou for the Music, here they are:
I’m nothing special, in fact I’m a bit of a bore.
If I’ve run a race, you’ve probably ran it before.
And it’s surely not a wonderful thing,
For you to sit listening, while I try to sing.
I’m so grateful and proud,
All I want is to sing it out loud.
So I say thank you for the running, the jogs and racing,
On the fells and parkrun pacing.
Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty,
Where would we be?
Without our vest or our shoes, who are we?
So I say thank you for the running, for being in Nidd Valley.
We kicked off the road champs up around Fountains Abbey,
With visits to Thirsk, to Eccup, and to Melmerby.
And Nidders kept running and did not fatigue,
With races ‘round Tholthorpe and the Evening League,
Or a sunny Tuesday
With Sylvia’s veggie relay.
So I say thank you for the running…
Sadly one thing went tits up and we then lost the crown,
Of the Mob Match trophy to rivals down in Knaresborough town,
And I’ve often wondered, where did it go wrong,
For the mighty Nidds who are usually so strong,
And our captains so bold?
Still there’s one team for me: Black and Gold!
So I say thank you for the running…
The fell champs were calling and we raised our sights to the hills,
With Emma and Amy and Bri and couple of Phils.
But if you can’t map-read on a hilltop or glen,
Then find that your five miles have doubled to ten,
And you’re lost in the mist?
Find a nice cosy pub, then get pissed.
So I say thank you for the running…
Then it was June, and we did the strangest of things,
Like pushing some bed frames round Knaresborough and up Castle Ings,
And if you are running in the searing heat,
And worried that you will not keep up with your feet,
While you’re pushing a kid,
Know you’re gonna get wet in the Nidd.
So I say thank you for the running…
Daz said cross-country had all the things we would find good,
Like shivering cold and up to your bollocks in mud.
But it’s always tricky to try and keep pace,
When headwinds blow hailstones right into your face.
Kev Nicholas should know:
Tie your laces when at Thorp Perrow!
So I say thank you for the running…
And who could forget that weekend back in November when,
We gathered in Ripley and hosted the great Guy Fawkes Ten.
The marshals were fab, the weather was fine,
On the Birstwith Brute and the Swincliffe Swine.
But what more can you take?
Through gritted teeth, just say: Oh Fawkes Sake!
So I say thank you for the running…
Have a great week, and hope to see you soon.
Chairman Sam x